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Any workplace injury claim involving a permanent disability can be complex, often involving lifetime benefits for medical treatment and lost wages. Schlack & Bassmaji helps injured parties with Waukegan paraplegia and quadriplegia workers’ compensation injuries get the financial compensation they need to move forward and continue supporting their families.
Our law firm has over 20 years of experience fighting for hard-working people in Illinois. We know how devastating a paralyzing injury can be, and we are here to help you get the money you deserve. Our compassionate workers’ compensation attorneys could provide you with comprehensive representation while we aggressively seek a full and fair settlement. Contact us today to schedule your consultation.
Paraplegia and quadriplegia are paralyzing injuries caused by damage to the spinal cord. Paraplegia affects sensation and movement in all or part of the torso, legs, and pelvic organs, but not the arms, while quadriplegia affects the torso, legs, pelvic organs, and arms. Paraplegia and quadriplegia injuries can be complete, meaning there is a total loss of feeling and motor control, or incomplete, meaning some feeling and motor control is remaining.
These types of injuries are catastrophic and often leave victims unable to return to work or unable to work in the same capacity as before their injury occurred. Because of this, paraplegia and quadriplegia workers’ compensation injuries in Waukegan usually qualify for lifetime medical and wage benefits, including the following.
The wage compensation an injured worker can recover depends on the severity of their spinal cord injury, the affected body parts, and whether they can perform any type of work after reaching maximum medical improvement (MMI).
According to the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission (IWCC), injured workers qualify for PPD if their injury results in the complete or partial loss of use of a part of the body or the body as a whole.
PPD can provide compensation for the difference between what a worker earned at their previous job and what they earn in their new position if they are able to return to a new line of work. Workers may receive PPD for an extended period of time, sometimes up to 500 weeks. PPD can also compensate based on a schedule of injury that awards a specific benefit amount for a certain duration, depending on the type and extent of injury.
Workers who have completely and permanently lost the use of both hands, both arms, both feet, both legs, or any two of these parts (such as an arm and a leg) and cannot do any kind of work can secure PTD. These benefits provide two-thirds of your average pre-injury weekly wage (subject to minimums and maximums) and can last for life.
A paraplegia or quadriplegia workers’ compensation injury generally entitles the victim to lifelong medical coverage through workers’ comp insurance. Healthcare coverage should include the cost of wheelchairs, hospitalizations, surgeries, and physical therapy. It may also include the cost of modifications to your home to accommodate your injury, such as installing ramps or a stair lift.
If you suffered a paralyzing workplace injury, you must get the medical benefits and wage compensation you need to provide for yourself and your loved ones. However, it can be challenging to get the insurance company to pay what they owe, especially when claims involve lifelong coverage.
Our workers’ compensation attorneys in Waukegan could help you prove your paraplegia or quadriplegia injury occurred at work and that you are entitled to extended medical and wage benefits. We could communicate with the involved parties on your behalf, tirelessly negotiate for the maximum settlement possible, and take legal action when necessary. We could also investigate your claim and discuss options you may have for seeking additional damages through a personal injury lawsuit.
Schlack & Bassmaji is here for victims of Waukegan paraplegia and quadriplegia workers’ compensation injuries. Contact us for a free consultation to learn more about how our workers’ comp attorneys could help you get the benefits you need. We proudly serve clients in English and Spanish and look forward to helping you.